'PHENOMENAL' TURNOUT FOR LOCAL PADDLING EVENT

Hundreds of people turned out for this year's Cameron County Canoe and Kayak Classic, held last Saturday on the Driftwood Branch of the Sinnemahoning River.

Some 127 boats were registered in the event, the most ever, according to organizer and devout paddler Randy Bailey.

"It was a phenomenal turhnout," Bailey said. "The water was great. The weather was great. It just couldn't have gotten better."

Bailey said he was real happy that the turnout was so good, but he was more happy that he had a lot of good help on race day.

"It was a little hectic at times, but we managed," Bailey said. "If it wasn't for all the people who helped out, I would have been dead meat. You can't pull an event like this off unless the community comes together to support it and this community definitely did!"

Paddlers came from several states, Bailey added, and there were many new local paddlers.

"We added almost 40 new boats this year," Bailey said. "I think the word's getting around the paddling community that we have a great race that's held in an even greater place."

Dozens of prizes were given out, including a new kayak.

Complete results from the race will be listed in next week's paper.